Sibbaldia Horticultural Journal

A horticultural journal from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, edited by the Director of Horticulture Dr David Rae. Sibbaldia publishes a broad range of practical knowledge and experience in botanic garden cultivation built up over many decades. This is a must-have for horticultural staff and students, as well as scientists involved in cultivation practices at botanic gardens. Gardeners with an interest in unusual plants and conservation would enjoy it too!

Sibbaldia - No 1

The seven papers contained in this first volume were all written by RBGE horticultural staff and cover diverse topics, from cultivation techniques for alpines and the performance of lesser known Himalayan plants to the role of RBGE in the conservation and reintroduction of Britain's native Woodsia ilvensis.

This second volume features nine papers by guest authors and RBGE staff, sharing their professional insight and practical experiences of a wide variety of topics, including living collections data management, plant collecting in Nepal, phenological monitoring, cultivation of unusual species and the role of horticulture in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC).

The third issue makes essential reading for those who want to be well informed of the principles and practices of horticulture in botanic gardens today. Over ninety pages, it features colour illustrations throughout and a guest essay for the first time. Nine further articles illustrate the diversity of botanic garden horticulture. Topics covered include the cultivation of British and Chilean native species, gingers and Victoria water lilies, the survival of tree ferns in cold temperatures, the value of record keeping for historical collections, and a survey of how botanic gardens are helping to meet Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation.

Highlights in Volume 4 include the development of RBGE's Collection Policy by Director of Horticulture, David Rae, and an exploration of the work of the Meconopsis Group by guest essaying Evelyn Stevens. Eight essays are included in total, most accompanied with colour photographs and illustrations.

Highlights in Volume 5 include an analysis of the value of indices seminum offered by botanic gardens, as presented at the 3rd Global Botanic Garden Congress. The guest essay is written by Kingsley Dixon, Director of Science at Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth, Australia on the science - living collections continuum in botanic gardens. This edition introduces a new regular feature highlighting a particular botanic garden with something to celebrate. In Volume 5 the history and development of Dawyck Botanic Garden near Peebles in Scotland is described. Fifteen papers in total are included covering a range of topics relevant to botanic garden horticulture, from curation to cultivation, most with colour photographs and illustrations. Please click here to see contents pages.

Highlights in No. 6 include the first of two papers on the concept and early establishment of the yet-to-be-built Oman Botanic Garden and a detailed insight into the ecology, identification and cultivation of Sarracenia pitcher plants. A third regular feature, ‘The Student Project' has been introduced. The first of these provides an account of the history and present day techniques of the cultivation of pineapples in Britain. The guest essay is written by Professor Stephen Blackmore, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on the importance of all research plants in botanic gardens because of their increasing conservation value. The Botanic Garden Profile outlines the policies, features and flora of the Balkan Botanic Garden at Kroussia Mountain near to Thessaloniki in Greece. Twelve papers in total are included covering a range of topics relevant to botanic garden horticulture over 200 pages, from curation to cultivation, all with colour photographs and illustrations. Please click here to see the contents page.

Sibbaldia- No 7

Dr David Rae (editor)

ISBN 978-1-906129-30-9, Soft back, 204pp, 246mmx175mm, £15

The issue of Edinburgh's horticultural journal contains essays on establishment and workings of new Botanic Gardens in Bristol, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The student project returns with a look at the value of ecological plantings in public gardens. The guest essay is by Professor Vernon Heywood and focuses on genetic conservation at Botanic Gardens. There is also a look at the data capture project carried out in Edinburgh and an in-depth look at cultivating pelargoniums under glass. In total thre are 11 essays and two short notes, with over 100 coloured illustrations throughout. This edition also contains a sample of botanical envelope and instructions for making your own. Please click here to see the contents.

Sibbaldia- No 8

Dr David Rae (Editor)

ISBN 978-1-906129-70-5, Soft back, 192pp, 246x175, £15

This edition's guest essay is by Professor Sir Ghillean Prance on the International Year of Biodiversity. The student project deals with data capture and taxonomic determination of Cycadales at RBGE and other topics covered include Hawaiian plant propogation, field collection in Indonesia, phenology and the development at RBGE of the Certificate in Practical Horticulture, now internationally recognised and endorsed by BGCI. Please click here to see the contents.

Sibbaldia - No 9

This edition's guest essay is by Sara Oldfield, Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), on the role of Botanic Gardens in saving species from extinction. The student project is a review of the birch collections at the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. Other topics covered include: the installation of a new Caledonia glasshouse in the Jardin des Planes, Paris; propagation of cycad collections; the development of a carbon management plan for RBGE and starting a conservation collection of Sorbus pseudomeinichii. Please click here to see the full contents page.